Angled Fracturing Tool for Multi-Directional Well Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inducing additional fractures in subterranean formations often fail to introduce new flow directions for hydrocarbons and do not account for stress alterations around existing fractures, limiting the effectiveness of fracture stimulation treatments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that initiate a first fracture with a specific orientation, temporarily altering the stress field, followed by a second fracture with a different angular orientation, using a fracturing tool with multiple sections and a sleeve to divert fluid and control the angular orientation of fluid delivery, allowing for the creation of fractures at varying angles relative to each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods induce additional fractures with near-identical angular orientation to previous fractures, then the number of locations for drainage into the wellbore increases, but new directions for hydrocarbons to flow into the wellbore are not introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fracturing tool is divided into multiple fracturing sections (e.g., first, second, third sections) that can be independently activated. Each section is oriented at different angles relative to the wellbore axis, allowing sequential creation of fractures with different orientations. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both multiple drainage locations and diverse flow directions by selectively activating specific sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces angular orientation as an additional dimension for fracture placement. Instead of only varying fracture locations along the wellbore, the system varies the angular orientation of fractures relative to the wellbore axis. This dimensional change allows hydrocarbons to flow into the wellbore from multiple directional vectors, enhancing drainage versatility while maintaining multiple entry points.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional methods induce additional fractures without accounting for stress alterations around existing fractures, then the fracturing process is simpler, but the effectiveness of fracture stimulation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of stress alterations around existing fractures before inducing new fractures. By analyzing the stress field modifications caused by previous fractures, the system can strategically position and orient new fractures to maximize their effectiveness. This preliminary action ensures that new fractures are placed in optimal locations where they will most effectively enhance hydrocarbon flow, thereby improving stimulation effectiveness without excessive complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fracturing tool uses multiple angled sections to create fractures at different orientations, then new flow directions are introduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fracturing tool is designed as a multi-functional device with multiple fracturing sections that can be independently activated. Each section serves the dual purpose of creating fractures at specific angles while collectively providing comprehensive angular coverage. The universal design allows a single tool to perform multiple fracture orientations without requiring separate tools, thereby managing complexity through consolidation while maintaining versatile fracture placement capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases well productivity by creating multiple fractures at different angles, enhancing hydrocarbon drainage and accounting for stress changes around existing fractures, thereby improving the efficiency of hydrocarbon production.
Implementation Method 1
A first fracture is induced in the subterranean formation. The first fracture is initiated at about a fracturing location. A second fracture is induced in the subterranean formation. The second fracture is initiated at about the fracturing location.
Implementation Method 2
a sleeve disposed in the tool body to divert the fluid to at least one of the fracturing sections while blocking the fluid from exiting another at least one of the fracturing sections
Implementation Method 3
The first fracture temporarily alters a stress field in the subterranean formation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for inducing fractures in a subterranean formation and more particularly methods and apparatus to place a first fracture with a first orientation in a formation followed by a second fracture with a second angular orientation in the formation are disclosed. The first and second fractures are initiated at about a fracturing location. The initiation of the first fracture is characterized by a first orientation line. The first fracture temporarily alters a stress field in the subterranean formation. The initiation of the second fracture is characterized by a second orientation line. The first orientation line and the second orientation line have an angular disposition to each other.